Flames Just 300 Meters Away
The mayor of Ponte da Barca has issued a desperate plea for additional aerial firefighting resources to protect the village of Germil, located within the Peneda-Gerês National Park (PNPG). The village is at imminent risk of being encircled by wildfires, with flames now just 300 meters away.
Population Still in Danger
Augusto Marinho, the social-democratic mayor, revealed that residents have not yet been evacuated as firefighters assess all possible strategies to combat the blaze. "It's impossible to fight the fire with water projections alone. We need ground combat, but our forces are limited. Aerial support is urgently needed to control the fire quickly," Marinho emphasized.
Critical Situation
Germil, home to around 40 inhabitants, is part of the Union of Parishes of Entre-Ambos-os-Rios, Ermida, and Germil. The wildfire, which began on Saturday, has already mobilized 412 personnel, 133 vehicles, and five aerial units, according to the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC).
Marinho has personally appealed to the Secretary of State for Civil Protection for more aerial resources, stressing that the situation could worsen with expected changes in weather conditions. "The fire progressed rapidly overnight towards Germil, and reaching the village is our biggest concern," he said.
Additional Threats
The mayor also highlighted the ongoing fire in Serra Amarela as another major concern, underscoring the precarious balance of resources needed to tackle multiple fronts simultaneously.
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